Daytona's May Zima, Arthur Young Merge

One of Florida's oldest accounting firms, May Zima & Co. of Daytona Beach, has merged with one of the eight largest accounting firms in the country -- New York-based Arthur Young.

As of June 1, the May Zima name was changed to Arthur Young and the two companies merged their offices in Tampa and West Palm Beach. May Zima, with about 140 accountants statewide, also has an office in Tallahassee; Arthur Young, with about 300 accountants statewide, has offices in six Florida cities.

Tom Phillips, a spokesman for Arthur Young, said Friday that the merger will provide May Zima with the technical resources of a large firm, including training for accountants and use of a nationwide computerized data bank.

''May Zima will have the same clients, the staffs won't be disrupted, it will be business as usual,'' Phillips said. May Zima, with about $5 million in billings a year, was founded in 1924. While ''no money changed hands'' in the deal, Phillips said, Arthur Young will now receive May Zima's billings.

Robert L. Johnson, the partner in charge of May Zima's Daytona Beach office, said the firm will seek a ''larger client base'' and may open additional offices in other parts of the state.